Equalizer arrangement and method for generating an output signal by equalizing an input signal

ABSTRACT

An equalizer includes at least two first mutually interfering equalizer sections, and at least two second interference-correcting equalizer sections, arranged in series. Each of the second equalizer sections corresponds with one first equalizer section, such that although each corresponding equalizer has the same center frequency, the second equalizer sections have an equalization response opposite the interference effect, and the gain of the corresponding second equalizer at the respective common center frequency contains the negative gain of at least one first equalizer adjacent to the corresponding first equalizer at the center frequency of the corresponding first equalizer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of equalizers, and in particular to an equalizer that includes a plurality of sections tuned to reduce interference between various sections of the equalizer.

[0002] Equalizer arrangements such as equalizer banks consist of a set of equalizers that are interconnected in a certain way using a serial, parallel, or any other structure. The individual equalizers may be presence equalizers or absence equalizers, that is, equalizers with an increase of gain or a decrease of gain (elevation of attenuation) at the relevant center frequency. The attenuation dimension in the following discussion shall be indicated in dB as a negative gain dimension.

[0003] An inherent problem in equalizer banks is the fact that the response characteristic of the individual equalizers within the equalizer bank mutually interferes, creating at least two highly undesirable disadvantages for conventional equalizer banks. First, depending on the setting at certain frequencies and frequency ranges, pronounced gain peaks or attenuation peaks may arise. A second problem is more or less pronounced distortion of the response characteristic may occur.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an equalizer that reduces the undesirable interference between the equalizer sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly, according to an aspect of the present invention, an equalizer that receives an input signal and provides an equalizer output signal includes a first equalizer and a second equalizer. The first equalizer includes a first equalizer section that receives the input signal. The first equalizer section has a gain of G1 and provides a first equalizer output signal to a second equalizer section having a center frequency f2. The second equalizer provides a second equalizer output signal to a third equalizer section that has a gain G3 and provides a third equalizer output signal. The second equalizer includes a first correcting equalizer section that receives a signal indicative of the third equalizer output signal and provides a first correcting equalizer output signal to a second correcting equalizer section. The second correcting equalizer section provides a second correcting equalizer output signal to a third correcting equalizer output section, which provides the equalizer output signal. The second correcting equalizer section includes a gain value that is indicative of the negative sum of the gains G1 and G3 associated with the first and third equalizer sections at the center frequency f2 of the second equalizer section.

[0006] An equalizer according to the present invention reduces the amount of interference between equalizer sections by taking into account the interfering effect of at least one adjacent equalizer, preferably of the two adjacent equalizers, at the center frequency of the respective equalizer. The equalizer determines the interfering effect of each individual equalizer on its adjacent equalizers at the center frequency of the latter, and derives correction values from this. Corresponding correction equalizers with the opposite response are then driven using these correction values to compensate for the interfering effects.

[0007] An equalizer arrangement comprises at least two first equalizers and at least two second equalizers (correction equalizers) that are connected in series. In each case one second equalizer corresponds with one first equalizer, such that while the corresponding first and second equalizers have the same center frequency, the corresponding second equalizers exhibit an equalization response that at least partially compensates for the interference. The gain of each corresponding second equalizer at the relevant common center frequency is equal to the negative sum of the gain of at least one first equalizer adjacent to the corresponding first equalizer at the center frequency of the corresponding first equalizer.

[0008] The gain of each equalizer of the equalizer bank is calculated or estimated at the center frequency of at least one adjacent equalizer. This gain is then used to adjust the correction equalizers corresponding to the adjacent equalizers. The gain values so determined (in dB) may thus be added up with the correct sign for each individual center frequency so as to provide a certain gain value (or attenuation value) for each corresponding equalizer (correction equalizer) at each center frequency. The gain for each corresponding second equalizer (correction equalizer) is equal to the negative interference value calculated for the corresponding first equalizer at its center frequency.

[0009] In addition to gain, the phase position at each respective center frequency may also be taken into account, which permits a complex calculation rather than a purely real calculation.

[0010] The gain of each second equalizer is preferably composed of the negative gains from the first equalizer preceding the corresponding first amplifier and from the first equalizer following the corresponding first equalizer at the center frequency of the corresponding first equalizer. In addition, the gain of each second (i.e. correction) equalizer section may also contain the negative gains of additional adjacent first equalizers at the center frequency of the corresponding first equalizer.

[0011] The arrangement of the equalizers may be such that either the first equalizers are each connected immediately adjacent in series and the second equalizers are each connected immediately in series. In an alternative embodiment, one first and second equalizer may be connected immediately adjacent in series.

[0012] Preferably, the first and second equalizers each have an essentially constant specified gain (e.g., the gain 1 corresponding to 0 dB) which, however, is raised or lowered relative to the essentially constant value in the center-frequency range. The center frequency may either be fixed (graphic equalizer bank) or modifiable (parametric equalizer bank). In the case of parametric equalizers, other characteristics of the response characteristic may also be adjustable.

[0013] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of a serial equalizer arrangement configured as a parametric equalizer;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of a serial equalizer arrangement configured as a graphic equalizer bank;

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3C are plots of response characteristics of the equalizers illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0017]FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B are plots of the response characteristic of the improved equalizer arrangements in comparison with conventional equalizer arrangements; and

[0018]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustration of a parallel equalizer arrangement configured as a parametric equalizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of a serial equalizer 100 arrangement configured as a parametric equalizer. The serial equalizer 100 includes a first equalizer having six first equalizer sections 1-6. The first equalizer sections 1-6 have center frequencies f₁-f₆, respectively, which establish the response characteristic of the entire serial equalizer 100 arrangement. The serial equalizer arrangement also includes a second equalizer that includes six second equalizer sections 7-12. Each of the second equalizer sections 7-12 are arranged in serial and have the same center frequency f₁-f₆ of a uniquely associated one of the first equalizer sections 1-6. In this embodiment, the center frequency values f₁-f₆ are variable (e.g., dynamically adjustable) to provide a parametric equalizer.

[0020] Each of the second equalizers 7-12 has an equalization response that is opposite the interference effects on its corresponding first equalizer produced by the adjacent first equalizer. For example, the first equalizers 1, 2, 3, 6 are presence equalizers, while the first equalizers 4, 5 are absence equalizers. Opposing these, the second equalizer sections 8, 10 are presence equalizers, while the second equalizer sections 7, 9, 11, 12 are absence equalizers corresponding to the interference effect of the first equalizers adjacent to the corresponding first equalizers.

[0021] With respect to the base gain, the presence equalizers increase the gain at the relevant center frequency, while with respect to the base gain the absence equalizers lower the gain at the center frequency. The mode of operation for absence equalizers and presence equalizers is presented in more detail below in FIG. 3A-3C.

[0022] The gain (+) or attenuation (−) of the second equalizer sections 7-12 designed as presence equalizers or absence equalizers is derived from the interference (crosstalk) of the first equalizer sections that are adjacent to each corresponding first equalizer section at the common center frequency f1-f6 of the corresponding first equalizer section. In one embodiment, the two first equalizers, if present, which are each adjacent on both sides of a corresponding first equalizer section are evaluated to compute values for the corresponding second equalizer sections 7-12.

[0023] In the case of the first equalizer section 1, there are only two adjacent equalizers sections, or equalizers sections 2 and 3, which are located on the upstream side of equalizer section 1. Based on its equalization response that is opposite the respective total crosstalk, the second equalizer section 7 corresponding to the first equalizer section 1, emulates the effect of the two adjacent first equalizer sections 2-3 at the center frequency f₁ of the two corresponding first and second equalizers, 1, 7 in complementary fashion such that the effect of the two first equalizer sections 2 and 3 on the first equalizer section 1 is compensated. The amount of the attenuation of the second equalizer 7 corresponds to the amount of gain at the center frequency f₁, which is produced by the two first equalizer sections 2 and 3.

[0024] At the center frequency f₃ of the first equalizer section 3, for example, equalizers sections 1 and 2 also act before the first equalizer section 3, while the equalizer sections 4 and 5 do so after the first equalizer section 3. The effect of the first equalizer section 6 that is three places removed from the first equalizer section 3 is negligible here. Corresponding to the equalizer section 3 is the correcting equalizer section 9, which serves to compensate for the effect of the equalizer sections 1, 2, 4 and 5. The amount of attenuation of the correcting equalizer section 9 is equal to the amount of gain at the common center frequency f₃ produced in common by equalizer sections 1, 2, 4, and 5 at the center frequency f₃. The compensation at the remaining center frequencies f₂, f₄, f₅ and f₆ is effected analogously.

[0025] The gains or attenuations of the correcting equalizer sections 7-12 may be calculated or estimated from the transfer function of the associated adjacent first equalizer sections 1-6, or by measurement of the signals produced by the associated adjacent first equalizers 1-6 at the respective center frequency.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of a serial equalizer 200 arrangement configured as a graphic equalizer bank. The graphic equalizer bank includes five first equalizer sections 13-17 as well as five second equalizer sections 18-22. Each of the first equalizer sections includes a corresponding second equalizer section. The corresponding first and second equalizer sections have the same center frequency. The equalization response of the second equalizer sections is determined from the interference effect at the respective center frequency. The first and second equalizer sections 13-22 are arranged such that the corresponding first and second equalizer sections immediately follow each other, and the pairs of corresponding equalizers 13-22 are connected in series. Since this embodiment is configured as a graphic equalizer bank, the center frequencies f₇-f₁₁ are fixed. In this case, the second equalizer sections 18-22 may be permanently adjusted to the respective corresponding first equalizers 13-17 and their adjacent first equalizers. That is, the second equalizer sections 18-22 may also be designed as fixed (preferably identical) equalizers.

[0027] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, only the immediately adjacent first equalizer sections 13-17 are evaluated for interference compensation. For example, the effect of the first equalizer sections 14, 16 adjacent to the first equalizer section 15 may be expressed here formally—as illustrated in the following discussion.

[0028] In this embodiment the output variables may include: the respective gains G_(i) (in dB) of the first equalizer sections 13-17, the respective quality Q_(i) of first equalizer sections 13-17 or the gains G_(k) (in dB) of second equalizers 18-22 or the respective quality Q_(k) of second equalizers 18-22, the respective center frequency f₁ of the first equalizer sections 13-17 or the respective center frequency f_(k) of second equalizer sections 18-22 as well as the value K_(ji) (in dB) corresponding to the gain of the first equalizer section 11-17 with a center frequency f_(j) at the center frequency f_(i) and thus the crosstalk (interference) of an equalizer with center frequency f_(j) affecting the first equalizer with center frequency f_(i).

[0029] The total crosstalk K_(i) from the two adjacent channels j=i+1 and j=i−1 can be expressed as:

K _(i) =K _((i+1)) +K _((i−1))

[0030] The gain of the second equalizer k corresponding to first equalizer i is thus:

G _(k) =−K _(i)

[0031] Otherwise the following applies for two corresponding first and second equalizers i and k where f_(i)=f_(k):

Q _(k) =α·Q _(i) where 0.5≦α≦2

[0032]FIG. 3A is a plot of a characteristic curve of a single first equalizer located within an equalizer bank, the crosstalk of adjacent equalizers being contained in schematic form in the characteristic curve shown (gain peaking). FIG. 3B shows the characteristic curve for the gain A (in dB) as a function of the frequency f of a second equalizer (correction equalizer) corresponding to the first equalizer shown in FIG. 3A, the characteristic curve of this correction equalizer corresponding to the opposite characteristic curve of the crosstalk produced by the adjacent first equalizers in the corresponding first equalizer.

[0033] Connecting the corresponding first and second equalizers in series results in a total characteristic curve that is shown in FIG. 3C. This characteristic curve matches the adjusted and thus desired characteristic curve since the effect of the adjacent equalizers is compensated. The characteristic curve is characterized by the center frequency f_(i), the quality Q_(I), and the gain G_(i) at the center frequency f_(i).

[0034]FIGS. 4A, 5A and 6A each show the characteristic curve for an equalizer bank with seven individual equalizers without the corresponding equalizers (correction equalizers), while FIGS. 4B, 5B and 6B show this with the corresponding equalizers (correction equalizers) according to the invention. The following table shows the base settings in the embodiments of FIGS. 4-6 (the arrows indicate the preset elevations or reductions at the respective center frequencies): Equalizer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Frequency (Hz) 80 200 500 1k 2k 5k 12k Gain (dB) +10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +10 In FIG. 4 Gain (dB) 0 0 −10 +10 0 0 0 In FIG. 5 Gain (dB) +10 +10 +10 −10 +10 +10 +10 In FIG. 6

[0035] Significant reductions are shown in FIG. 4 for undesired gain peaking, in FIG. 5 for undesired gain reduction, and in FIG. 6 for undesired distortions of the response characteristic. Only the two immediately adjacent equalizers are being evaluated, however, in FIGS. 4-6. As a result, peaks of up to 15 dB were compensated.

[0036] In the equalizer arrangements shown, methods are employed in which a first equalization of the input signal occurs at, at least two center frequencies with a certain equalization response, and a corresponding second equalization of the input signal occurs at the same at least two center frequencies with a corresponding equalization response compensating interference, where the gain of the respective corresponding equalizations (correction equalizations) at the respective common center frequency contains the negative gain of at least one of the first equalizations adjacent to the corresponding first equalization at the center frequency of the corresponding first equalization. A method of this type may be preferably employed either in an analog or digital signal processor.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustration of a parallel equalizer 700 arrangement configured as a parametric equalizer. A path of constant equalization is maintained from input to output. The gain is equal to one (or 0 dB) in this embodiment. However, it may also have any other value for gain/attenuation. First equalizer sections 23-27 and second equalizer sections 28-32 are preferably bandpass filters with high attenuation below a lower cut-off frequency, high attenuation above an upper cut-off frequency, and variable gain at the center frequency.

[0038] The first equalizer sections 23-32 are interconnected on the input side in parallel and coupled with the input of the equalizer bank. On the output side, all the first equalizer sections 23-32 lead to a summer 33, which provides an equalizer output signal. Connected in series to the second equalizers sections 28-32 are controllable amplifiers 34-38, respectively.

[0039] The individual first equalizer section 23-27 may interfere in complex fashion (i.e., the intensity of the interference is a function of the incoming phases). Each first equalizer section corresponds with an associated one of the second equalizer sections 28-32 correcting the interference, such that they have the same center frequency. The total interference effect of adjacent equalizers at the center frequency of an individual first equalizer section may be calculated or estimated either simply as a real number (quantity) at approximately the same phase position, or more precisely as a complex number (quantity and phase).

[0040] To reduce interference by adjusting the (real) gain of each correcting the second equalizer sections 28-32 in a simple manner without considering phase, the determined gain quantity (real value) is systematically varied as required by the controllable amplifiers 34-38, while the output of each second equalizer section is provided as required with a reverse sign (phase reversal). This approach takes into account, to a certain extent, the phase relationship that was ignored for the sake of simplicity.

[0041] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that although the present invention has been discussed in the context of certain numbers of first and second equalizer sections, of course the present invention is not so limited. For example, the present invention is not limited to equalizers that have seven first equalizer sections and seven second equalizer sections.

[0042] Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An equalizer arrangement for generating an output signal by equalizing an input signal, comprising: at least two mutually interfering first equalizer sections; and at least two correcting second equalizer sections, wherein each of said second equalizer sections is uniquely associated with an associated one of said first equalizer sections which has the same center frequency, and each of said first and second equalizer sections has an equalization response which at least partially compensates for interference between said first equalizer sections, wherein each of said second equalizer sections at its center frequency has a gain that is equal to the negative sum of the gain of at least one of the plurality first equalizer sections adjacent to the first equalizer section associated with said associated second equalizer section.
 2. The equalizer of claim 1, wherein the gain of one of said certain second equalizer sections is equal to the negative sum of the gains of the first equalizer sections that are immediately adjacent to said first equalizer section that is uniquely associated with said one of said certain section equalizer sections, wherein the gains are taken at the center frequency of said first equalizer section that is uniquely associated with said one of said certain section equalizer sections.
 3. The equalizer of claim 1, wherein the gain of said one of said certain second equalizer sections is equal to the negative sum of the gains of the first equalizer sections that are adjacent to said first equalizer section that is uniquely associated with said one of said certain section equalizer sections, wherein the gains are taken at the center frequency of said first equalizer section that is uniquely associated with said one of said certain section equalizer sections.
 4. The equalizer of claim 2, wherein said at least two mutually interfering first equalizer sections arranged in serial and upstream of said at least two correcting second equalizer sections, wherein said at least two correcting second equalizer sections are also arranged in serial.
 5. The equalizer of claim 1, wherein said at least two mutually interfering first equalizer sections, and said at least two correcting second equalizer sections include discrete time domain filters.
 6. The equalizer of claim 1, wherein said at least two mutually interfering first equalizer sections, and said at least two correcting second equalizer sections include continuous time domain filters.
 7. An equalizer that receives an input signal, comprising: a first equalizer, including a first equalizer section having a gain G1 that receives the input signal and provides a first equalizer output signal to a second equalizer section having a center frequency f2, wherein said second equalizer provides a second equalizer output signal to a third equalizer section having a gain G3 that provides a third equalizer output signal; and a second equalizer having a first correcting equalizer section that receives a signal indicative of said third equalizer output signal and provides a first correcting equalizer output signal to a second correcting equalizer section that provides a second correcting equalizer output signal to a third correcting equalizer output section, which provides a third correcting equalizer output signal, wherein said second correcting equalizer section includes a gain value that is indicative of the negative sum of the gains G1 and G3 associated with said first and third equalizer sections at the center frequency f2 of the second equalizer section.
 8. The equalizer of claim 7, wherein each of said sections of said first and second equalizers each includes a bandpass filter.
 9. An equalizer that receives an input signal, comprising: a first equalizer, including a first equalizer section having a gain and that receives the input signal and provides a first equalizer output signal to a second equalizer section having a center frequency f2, wherein said second equalizer provides a second equalizer output signal; and a second equalizer having a first correcting equalizer section that receives a signal indicative of said second equalizer output signal and provides a first correcting equalizer output signal to a second correcting equalizer section that provides a second correcting equalizer output signal, wherein said second correcting equalizer section includes a correction gain value that is indicative of the negative the gain of said first equalizer section at the center frequency f2 of said second equalizer section. 